An Emotionally Charged Opening to One of Fighting Games’ Most Celebrated Events…

by Redrapper on March 4th, 2012 at 9:41 am

If you needed a catharsis FGC, here it is. If there was any doubt in your mind that we were a culture of solidarity, you can silence it. March 2nd began the first day of Final Round, one of the biggest tournaments in the fighting game community. To some of you, the notion that this year marks the tournament’s 15th anniversary is something you are well aware of. To others, it is an astoundingly impossible feat. In a time where a lot of us feel that lingering trepidation around us– Shinblanka’s opening speech keeps us level. It takes those moments of fear that circumstance seems to impose on us out of the equation, even if it’s just for those 3 minutes in that video. Even if it’s for one hell of a weekend and one of the biggest spotlights in the FGC. What you may call saccharine I see as beautiful, and if there’s anything the tears in this man’s eyes can attest to — it is that the blood sweat and toil he has put into this event for the last 15 years has been worth it. 100 percent. I can go on and on about it, but his words speak a lot more than mine ever could here.

Happy Birthday Final Round. You kept my head up.

Source: Dubdesignnet’s Youtube, Team Spooky’s Final Round Stream,

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=726931730 Jay Carter

Donate to Larry’s mom’s funeral fund by clicking the Donate button on http://www.finalround.org.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=726931730 Jay Carter

Donate to Larry’s mom’s funeral fund by clicking the Donate button on http://www.finalround.org.
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Ravend-Ruledmom/100002551210796 Ravend Ruledmom
  
  https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=xfxYtdRnqpmWwdzgOrX3ddRYg-jSWtDdV2erBb-D4IDBMkIWINZc5P03C_G&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d43b1bb6ca6ed6d454adc375ba2d28b99
http://www.facebook.com/people/Justin-Brown/1362756791 Justin Brown

#respect
http://www.facebook.com/people/Justin-Brown/1362756791 Justin Brown

#respect
Jonathan To

An Emotionally Charged

#corrections*
Jonathan To

An Emotionally Charged

#corrections*
http://www.facebook.com/people/Lorance-Carroll/1309894458 Lorance Carroll

I saw this the other day, had no idea about his mom. I totally got misty eyed when he teared up.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Lorance-Carroll/1309894458 Lorance Carroll

I saw this the other day, had no idea about his mom. I totally got misty eyed when he teared up.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Lorance-Carroll/1309894458 Lorance Carroll

I saw this the other day, had no idea about his mom. I totally got misty eyed when he teared up.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Blake-Condit/100001217853142 Blake Condit

Fucking awesome…. just…. Awesome…
http://www.facebook.com/people/William-TheRealyst-Matthews/528588178 William TheRealyst Matthews

Let see Kotaku pick this up… Assholes.
- Anonymous
  
  Can I ask what this has to do AT ALL with the discussion about sexual harassment?
  - http://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-Murray/611100197 Mike Murray
    
    It’s more about Kotaku being sensationalist when it comes to negative news. I would personally add that they cause disturbances where there is none (e.g. they thought Scribblenauts had a racist term in it). It saddens me that people give them undeserved attention…they’re pretty much a plague, and are by no means journalists, let alone legit ones.
  - http://www.facebook.com/people/William-TheRealyst-Matthews/528588178 William TheRealyst Matthews
    
    Nothing. That is not the point of my statement. The point is, I have never heard of Kotaku say anything about the FGC at all. As soon as something shitty happens, here they come. Now that there is something good happening in the FGC, where are the articles???
    - Anonymous
      
      Well they did a great write-up on what the community did for Chris-Hu after his home was burned.
      http://kotaku.com/5515896/this-guy-lost-everything-in-a-fire-gamers-help-him, It’s all just what is hot right at this exact moment! I don’t fault Kotaku for doing the post on the Aris Saga, they gotta make that money and controversy sell. But I will say that we (FGC) cannot give them ammunition to fire upon us. We got to be careful how we present ourselves to the masses.
    - Anonymous
      
      Well they did a great write-up on what the community did for Chris-Hu after his home was burned.
      http://kotaku.com/5515896/this-guy-lost-everything-in-a-fire-gamers-help-him, It’s all just what is hot right at this exact moment! I don’t fault Kotaku for doing the post on the Aris Saga, they gotta make that money and controversy sell. But I will say that we (FGC) cannot give them ammunition to fire upon us. We got to be careful how we present ourselves to the masses.
  - http://twitter.com/TBM24x Chris B
    
    Can I ask why you think kotaku only should pick up a story that’s about sexual harrasment? Can I ask why you think Kotaku can’t possibly report on something different about the fgc? Nvm don’t answer
  - Anonymous
    
    There’s idiots on here that keeping using the “Let’s see Kotaku post something positive about the FGC” argument, sarcastically, despite the fact that the website made a blog post entitled “Help us say something nice about Fighting Gamers” during the Miranda/Aris incident. Not to mention Evo and other majors given coverage.
    
    http://kotaku.com/5889701/help-us-say-something-nice-about-fighting-gamers
    - http://www.facebook.com/people/William-TheRealyst-Matthews/528588178 William TheRealyst Matthews
      
      Why do they need help saying something good about the FGC? How about they do simple research? Look up the handicap guy from Texas that is welcomed by the FGC. Look up the food charity drive tournaments that Big E runs. It’s not that hard. If you want to find something good to say, you would. Typical one sided shitty media reporting. You are the idiot and the shit you read is from ASSHOLES.
      - http://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-Murray/611100197 Mike Murray
        
        See, this is what I’m talking about. If they’re really journalists, they should be digging up this stuff themselves, not relying on their readers to find it for them.
      - http://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-Murray/611100197 Mike Murray
        
        See, this is what I’m talking about. If they’re really journalists, they should be digging up this stuff themselves, not relying on their readers to find it for them.
    - http://www.facebook.com/people/William-TheRealyst-Matthews/528588178 William TheRealyst Matthews
      
      Why do they need help saying something good about the FGC? How about they do simple research? Look up the handicap guy from Texas that is welcomed by the FGC. Look up the food charity drive tournaments that Big E runs. It’s not that hard. If you want to find something good to say, you would. Typical one sided shitty media reporting. You are the idiot and the shit you read is from ASSHOLES.
    - Jose Di Paola
      
      “There’s idiots on here that keeping using the “Let’s see Kotaku post
      something positive about the FGC” argument, sarcastically, despite the
      fact that the website made a blog post entitled “Help us say something
      nice about Fighting Gamers” during the Miranda/Aris incident. Not to
      mention Evo and other majors given coverage.”
      
      I don’t believe you understand what that phrase means. “Help me say something nice about X” is a humorous way of saying “X is irredeemably awful.”
      - http://twitter.com/NuggetzHaps Aaron Hewitt
        
        ^Thank you, exactly. And they are journalists so it was not a mistake in wordplay, they knew exactly what they were doing.
      - http://twitter.com/NuggetzHaps Aaron Hewitt
        
        ^Thank you, exactly. And they are journalists so it was not a mistake in wordplay, they knew exactly what they were doing.
      - Anonymous
        
        ” I don’t believe you understand what that phrase means.”
        
        There’s no implied meaning other than what it states. It’s not some standard phrase like “Have a great evening”. Stop being butthurt about the outlier response.
        
        Don’t you get how blogs work? People send them news to write articles about just as often as they search for news. It’s the community’s fault the negative stuff is on their radar, we’re giving them shit to write about. But they clearly can’t win with you guys – you bitch about them not highlighting our positive aspects, but dismiss any efforts to do just that as sarcasm!
      - Anonymous
        
        ” I don’t believe you understand what that phrase means.”
        
        There’s no implied meaning other than what it states. It’s not some standard phrase like “Have a great evening”. Stop being butthurt about the outlier response.
        
        Don’t you get how blogs work? People send them news to write articles about just as often as they search for news. It’s the community’s fault the negative stuff is on their radar, we’re giving them shit to write about. But they clearly can’t win with you guys – you bitch about them not highlighting our positive aspects, but dismiss any efforts to do just that as sarcasm!
      - Anonymous
        
        ” I don’t believe you understand what that phrase means.”
        
        There’s no implied meaning other than what it states. It’s not some standard phrase like “Have a great evening”. Stop being butthurt about the outlier response.
        
        Don’t you get how blogs work? People send them news to write articles about just as often as they search for news. It’s the community’s fault the negative stuff is on their radar, we’re giving them shit to write about. But they clearly can’t win with you guys – you bitch about them not highlighting our positive aspects, but dismiss any efforts to do just that as sarcasm!
      - http://www.facebook.com/thisisnotras Rasean Frazier
        
        ^ This, pretty much.
        
        ANY form of media will generally search out news that has the biggest impact. But most of the time, a negative story creates more attention-getting impact than a positive story of the same caliber. However, positive news is usually reported in.
        
        In short, why should Kotaku go searching for a “positive story” to counter themselves? Why WOULDN’T the community be more aggressive about producing or giving them something very positive? And remember – part of the problem wasn’t just the original incident; it was also the statement from Aris originally stating that “this is how the fighting game community is.” Kotaku didn’t make that up.
        
        So if we want to refute that statement, someone has to actually write in WHY that isn’t true. Someone try to get this put on up on their page, for example – a man that’s coping with the fresh loss of a loved person departed that pushed through the pain to continue with a Tournament because of how much he loves the scene and wants to make all of his previous work worth it.
      - http://www.facebook.com/thisisnotras Rasean Frazier
        
        ^ This, pretty much.
        
        ANY form of media will generally search out news that has the biggest impact. But most of the time, a negative story creates more attention-getting impact than a positive story of the same caliber. However, positive news is usually reported in.
        
        In short, why should Kotaku go searching for a “positive story” to counter themselves? Why WOULDN’T the community be more aggressive about producing or giving them something very positive? And remember – part of the problem wasn’t just the original incident; it was also the statement from Aris originally stating that “this is how the fighting game community is.” Kotaku didn’t make that up.
        
        So if we want to refute that statement, someone has to actually write in WHY that isn’t true. Someone try to get this put on up on their page, for example – a man that’s coping with the fresh loss of a loved person departed that pushed through the pain to continue with a Tournament because of how much he loves the scene and wants to make all of his previous work worth it.
- Quintus Havis
  
  Hard for me to make the comparison. One thing happened on a reality show Capcom is running to try and promote a big game, the other is a sad thing about a dude’s mother passing. The news outlet is just naturally gonna focus on the larger thing, you know? Not to be disrespectful or minimize the pain of loss or anything, but a news outlet is going to focus on the bigger story.
  
  I’m sure there are some pretty big things going on in the FGC that are positive that they’re ignoring that ought to be newsworthy, but this isn’t one of them.
  
  ALso, parts of the FGC are fucked up about sexism/racism. But then again, one can say that about anything that’s bigger than like ten people.
  
  Anyways, my point is, Kotaku is gonna go for what’s newsworthy. Capcom having something to do with sexual harassment will register as bigger for them and the readership than this. I feel like folks should just not sweat Kotaku, keep on doing positive things inside and outside of the FGC, and avoid/resist sexism/racism and all that other bad shit.
  
  Do you, brother.
  - Anonymous
    
    > Anyways, my point is, Kotaku is gonna go for what’s newsworthy.
    
    What about “FGC celebrates 15 years of fighting tournaments”? That’s a big accomplishment, especially considering that there was a period when fighting games were not mainstream.
- Quintus Havis
  
  Hard for me to make the comparison. One thing happened on a reality show Capcom is running to try and promote a big game, the other is a sad thing about a dude’s mother passing. The news outlet is just naturally gonna focus on the larger thing, you know? Not to be disrespectful or minimize the pain of loss or anything, but a news outlet is going to focus on the bigger story.
  
  I’m sure there are some pretty big things going on in the FGC that are positive that they’re ignoring that ought to be newsworthy, but this isn’t one of them.
  
  ALso, parts of the FGC are fucked up about sexism/racism. But then again, one can say that about anything that’s bigger than like ten people.
  
  Anyways, my point is, Kotaku is gonna go for what’s newsworthy. Capcom having something to do with sexual harassment will register as bigger for them and the readership than this. I feel like folks should just not sweat Kotaku, keep on doing positive things inside and outside of the FGC, and avoid/resist sexism/racism and all that other bad shit.
  
  Do you, brother.
- Anonymous
  
  Are you saying that it was all Kotaku’s fault?
Anonymous

Condolences and props.
- bladestreetboy19
  
  :O
- bladestreetboy19
  
  :O
  - http://twitter.com/juiceciuj donald mcronald
    
    %O
  - http://twitter.com/juiceciuj donald mcronald
    
    %O
  - http://twitter.com/juiceciuj donald mcronald
    
    %O
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Almeson-Hoku-James/100000479628267 Almeson Hoku James
  
  Winback #1
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Almeson-Hoku-James/100000479628267 Almeson Hoku James
  
  Winback #1
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Almeson-Hoku-James/100000479628267 Almeson Hoku James
  
  Winback #1
http://www.facebook.com/people/Justin-Brown/1362756791 Justin Brown

i think we should put the funeral donation thing up on the front page…i mean if there was anytime to show the haters of the FGC that we are a real community i think it would be now…i wanna see kotaku and giant bomb write about that!!!
Anonymous

To all the people who were crying when people told off Aris, saying that his behaviour was who we are as a community – watch this video. THIS is what we are. THIS is what we should be proud of, and THIS is what we should jump to defend.
Not to mention THIS is the difference between us and eSports.
http://www.facebook.com/JayBeJay James Joseph

This guy is a king and always will be a king in my eyes. The hard work to be bringing the community 15 years running a steady tournament like this. I’ve only seen final round since 09 and by far it’s probably the hypest stream I’ve ever seen.

New technology, the atsmophere of everyone. The love for the FGC, this IS what the FGC is, not the trolling (i do find it amusing though) but the hard work people have to bring something like this to people and all the people showing their love by going to it and doing what they enjoy and that’s playing Fighting Games.

I really wanna make it a personal goal next year to go to America next year to go to both Evo and Final round for the first time in my life, UK only has SvB and a few minors but I think the heart of the Fighting Game scene seems to be America. At least that’s what it feels like to me. Heart goes out to ShinBlanka’s mum that passed away and how much of a beast this man is for still keeping this tournament going even through that. If that isn’t real love for something you believe in then I honestly don’t know what is.
Anonymous

sentimental Hype? boss level= respect
http://www.facebook.com/kimuralox Awwblain Leger

The FGC painted in a positive light? NOWAI.

You won’t see this video anywhere else but SRK, believe that. My condolences to ShinBlanka.
Steve Ezeta

Anyone commenting about Kotaku is a 12 year old stream monster.
What the fuck does this have ANYTHING to do with the Cross Assault shit? Stop beating a fucking dead horse.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-Murray/611100197 Mike Murray

Shout outs to Shinblanka for running the event in light of his mother’s passing.
http://www.KillerGameRants.com/ Warren

I just wished all the newcomers (after 2001) would show respect like this to the newcomers (2006 on after) – on and off the show floor. Trash talk is all cool, but telling a newcomer “Dude, you need to stop and go play [insert game title here].” Girls… Females are gamers too, no matter the age, they are human too. If they beat you, just respect, bow and move on and whine to yourself of friends. DB over and over or SPAM, if you are a fighter, you KNOW how to deal with it.

Respect that’s all.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002137212435 Ashley Swank

i’m so :3 right now. Respect
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002137212435 Ashley Swank

i’m so :3 right now. Respect
http://twitter.com/akumous akumous

The fighting game community won’t die because there are many that wants it to prosper but the FGC has to change. It can’t continue with juvenile commentary with side jokes that are offensive.
http://twitter.com/akumous akumous

The fighting game community won’t die because there are many that wants it to prosper but the FGC has to change. It can’t continue with juvenile commentary with side jokes that are offensive.
Gareth Roberts

Guys this thread is not for discussion of ‘recent articles’ this is for discussion of the speech above, seriously the off topic posts in this thread that seek to derail the poignant message here need to be moderated to heck.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002834656336 Vernoicas BF

Ah man that’s nice. props to you Shinblanca, from Jeenyus.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OFCYXDKKYRGNIRO6A6OE2WYYPQ Nox Nyctores

You must be joking. That is not the FCG, that is a lie. Everyone in the FGC is nothing but bloodthirsty monsters. Naturally people are going to behave when they are in front of a camera. I really could care less that his mother died also.

The FGC will never be taken seriously.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=591280062 Steven Maximiliano Nunes
  
  Dude. Not cool.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=591280062 Steven Maximiliano Nunes
  
  Dude. Not cool.
- Anonymous
  
  I’m not here to defend the FGC, I’m just here to give a big FUCK YOU for being disrespectful towards ShinBlanka and his mother. Larry is a stand up guy, and if you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting him, you too would be emotional too to know his situation and what he and his family is going through. His mother just passed, yet he STILL went on with the show. Shit like you shouldn’t even speak on matters like this. -Yeah Dood 120%
  - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OFCYXDKKYRGNIRO6A6OE2WYYPQ Nox Nyctores
    
    I don’t really care about him or his personal life. He is weak, even if I met him I would have to hold back my disgust.
    - http://twitter.com/IFDhumbag James IFD Cardoni
      
      Shut the fuck up Nox. Why dont you just go buy a horse and go up into the mountains and not bother anybody anymore.
      - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OFCYXDKKYRGNIRO6A6OE2WYYPQ Nox Nyctores
        
        Temper temper, you should work on that.
      - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OFCYXDKKYRGNIRO6A6OE2WYYPQ Nox Nyctores
        
        Temper temper, you should work on that.
      - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OFCYXDKKYRGNIRO6A6OE2WYYPQ Nox Nyctores
        
        Temper temper, you should work on that.
      - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OFCYXDKKYRGNIRO6A6OE2WYYPQ Nox Nyctores
        
        Temper temper, you should work on that.
  - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OFCYXDKKYRGNIRO6A6OE2WYYPQ Nox Nyctores
    
    I don’t really care about him or his personal life. He is weak, even if I met him I would have to hold back my disgust.
- Anonymous
  
  I applaud your successful troll. Well designed, masterfully crafted; and obviously it’s effective.
  
  I only say this because I want to try to thwart any attempt to flag this piece of art into oblivion, thus losing it to the annals of time forever.
- Anonymous
  
  I applaud your successful troll. Well designed, masterfully crafted; and obviously it’s effective.
  
  I only say this because I want to try to thwart any attempt to flag this piece of art into oblivion, thus losing it to the annals of time forever.
- Anonymous
  
  I applaud your successful troll. Well designed, masterfully crafted; and obviously it’s effective.
  
  I only say this because I want to try to thwart any attempt to flag this piece of art into oblivion, thus losing it to the annals of time forever.
- http://profile.yahoo.com/OPJMBHFFERQBOG26JGRZSHK4KM .
  
  your mother’s right about everything she says about you.
  - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OFCYXDKKYRGNIRO6A6OE2WYYPQ Nox Nyctores
    
    Oh yes, throwing a tournament in spite of death. Such Oscar material.
    - Anonymous
      
      Nice try troll, I’m not gonna bite.
      - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OFCYXDKKYRGNIRO6A6OE2WYYPQ Nox Nyctores
        
        Minimal effect, but satisfaction either way.
    - Anonymous
      
      Nice try troll, I’m not gonna bite.
    - Anonymous
      
      Nice try troll, I’m not gonna bite.
    - Anonymous
      
      Well, it IS a pretty big event, and handling so many things in one place can be incredibly taxing, especially when something sad happens to dampen someone’s spirits.
    - Anonymous
      
      Well, it IS a pretty big event, and handling so many things in one place can be incredibly taxing, especially when something sad happens to dampen someone’s spirits.
    - Anonymous
      
      Well, it IS a pretty big event, and handling so many things in one place can be incredibly taxing, especially when something sad happens to dampen someone’s spirits.
Anonymous

The groups criticizing the FGC are not accusing players of not being human. It’s great that he did this despite his mother’s passing, but the only way I wouldn’t have expected this reaction is if it was at a sporting event in Philadelphia. The reaction here isn’t an effective argument against the criticisms levied against the FGC.
http://twitter.com/ColinDowning Colin Downing

Final Round XV == 14th anniversary, not 15th, unless they started with Final Round 0.
Anonymous

Very, very inspiring. Also very sad.
Anonymous

Very, very inspiring. Also very sad.
Anonymous

Very, very inspiring. Also very sad.
http://twitter.com/Stream_Monster FGC | Stream Monster

Shout-outs to Larry’s mom.
http://twitter.com/Stream_Monster FGC | Stream Monster

Shout-outs to Larry’s mom.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Almeson-Hoku-James/100000479628267 Almeson Hoku James

Willing to throw money at Capcom to allow Shinblanka to replace Blanka’s english voice.
Anonymous

A beautiful display of a community that I’m glad to want to take part in.
Anonymous

i was watching and just before he came on i went to go eat. i got back and i see this black dude with a cowboy hat on talking about respect and i had the impression that he was talking about the drama inkblot and kotaku instigated. watching this i’m glad i was wrong and it’s got nothing to do with esports. RIP shinblanka’s mom.
- Anonymous
  
  Dude, the people that care about all that sexual harassment esports shit are definitely not in the FGC. We know how godlike we are, and we aint got shit to prove to nobody. Real Talk.
  - http://www.facebook.com/people/Ian-Corral/100001780902248 Ian Corral
    
    And yet you try so hard to defend your point. Its clear they are winning this fight, us being on the losing end.
  - http://www.facebook.com/people/Ian-Corral/100001780902248 Ian Corral
    
    And yet you try so hard to defend your point. Its clear they are winning this fight, us being on the losing end.
Anonymous

i was watching and just before he came on i went to go eat. i got back and i see this black dude with a cowboy hat on talking about respect and i had the impression that he was talking about the drama inkblot and kotaku instigated. watching this i’m glad i was wrong and it’s got nothing to do with esports. RIP shinblanka’s mom.
Anonymous

i was watching and just before he came on i went to go eat. i got back and i see this black dude with a cowboy hat on talking about respect and i had the impression that he was talking about the drama inkblot and kotaku instigated. watching this i’m glad i was wrong and it’s got nothing to do with esports. RIP shinblanka’s mom.
http://www.facebook.com/hauston Hauston Grimes

Than you for all that you have done for us in the FGC ShinBlanka! As you said the show goes on. Now let’s find the answer in the heart of battle.
http://www.facebook.com/hauston Hauston Grimes

Than you for all that you have done for us in the FGC ShinBlanka! As you said the show goes on. Now let’s find the answer in the heart of battle.
http://www.facebook.com/hauston Hauston Grimes

Than you for all that you have done for us in the FGC ShinBlanka! As you said the show goes on. Now let’s find the answer in the heart of battle.
http://www.facebook.com/PARTYBOMB Trey Pinson

FR 15 was fucking amazing, shout outs to free NOS!
http://www.facebook.com/PARTYBOMB Trey Pinson

FR 15 was fucking amazing, shout outs to free NOS!
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